Around 42.6% of households have a dog, and around 32.6% have a cat, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. Renters insurance usually won’t cover those times when your cat shreds your sofa or your dog has vet bills from swallowing a sock. However, renters insurance can help when your pet creates a liability problem. Think dog bites, injuries to visitors, or damage to a neighbor’s property.
Here’s what renters insurance covers for pets, what it doesn’t, and where coverage gaps can pop up.
What does renters insurance actually cover when you have a pet?
The part of renters insurance that’s most likely to help with pet-related incidents is liability coverage. It can apply if your pet injures someone or damages their property, whether that incident happens at home or in public.
For example, renters insurance may help if:
Your dog bites a neighbor, delivery worker, or visitor in your apartment.
Your high-energy dog knocks over a delivery person, and they suffer an injury.
Your dog bites another dog at the park.
Your outdoor cat damages a neighbor’s patio furniture.
Your cat scratches a child who is visiting your home.
In these situations, your policy may help pay for:
Medical bills
Property repairs or replacement
Legal expenses if you’re sued
Settlements or judgments, up to your policy limits
A single dog-bite claim can easily cost $65,450, according to estimates by the Insurance Information Institute. If you’re a renter with a pet, this liability protection can be one of the most valuable parts of your policy.
Read more: What is renters insurance? A complete guide
What renters insurance doesn’t cover for pets
The easiest way to think about renters insurance is that it protects you from liability (not the day-to-day costs of owning a pet).
For example, renters insurance generally won’t cover:
Vet bills if your pet gets sick or injured
Routine veterinary care
Damage your pet causes to your own belongings
Damage your pet causes to your rental unit
Injuries to you or other members of your household
Read more: What does renters insurance cover?
Does renters insurance cover pet damage to rental property?
Renters insurance generally won’t cover damage to your own rental unit, but it could cover damages to someone else’s unit through the liability portion of your policy.
For example, if your puppy has separation anxiety and spends months scratching at the front door whenever you leave for work, that damage is your responsibility. However, if your puppy chews up your neighbor’s fence while outside, it could be covered through your renters insurance policy.
The key distinction is whose property your pet has damaged. If it’s yours, it’s generally not covered by renters insurance. But if it’s someone else’s, it could be covered up to your policy limits.
Does renters insurance cover dog bites?
Roughly 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year in the U.S., according to the Insurance Information Institute. That makes dog bites one of the most common reasons pet owners could end up using the liability portion of their renters insurance policy.
Many renters insurance policies come with $100,000 to $300,000 in liability coverage, with the potential option to add more if needed.
That said, your insurance company could have restrictions involving:
Certain dog breeds
Dogs with a history of aggression
Dogs with prior bite incidents
Dogs that weren’t disclosed when the policy was purchased
Breed restrictions for renters insurance
Some insurance companies use breed restrictions when deciding whether they’ll provide pet liability coverage. Others evaluate dogs individually based on factors such as training, behavior history, and previous claims.
There’s no universal list, but breeds that commonly face restrictions can include:
Renters insurance vs. pet insurance: Here’s the difference
As a pet owner, you could benefit from carrying both renters insurance and pet insurance because they address entirely different risks.
For example, if your dog develops severe skin allergies, sprains a leg while out for a run, or ingests something inappropriate, pet insurance could help cover those claims. But if your dog injures a delivery driver and you’re held responsible for that person’s medical bills and pain and suffering, that’s when renters insurance comes in.
This table highlights the differences between renters and pet insurance:
Add-ons for when standard coverage isn’t enough
If your insurance company excludes your dog’s breed or won’t cover your pet, you could look into separate pet liability insurance (also known as animal liability insurance). This is a third-party policy that’s in addition to renters insurance. Some insurers will cover any dog breed, but, as with renters insurance, coverage likely won’t include damage to your own property or to members of your household.
How to file a renters insurance claim for a pet incident
If you find yourself needing to file a renters insurance claim for pet damage, you can usually do so using these steps:
1. Make sure everyone is safe
If someone is injured, help them get medical attention immediately. If your pet is still agitated, remove them from the situation to prevent additional injuries.
2. Take note of what happened
Write down exactly what occurred while it’s still fresh in your memory.
Take photos of:
If there were witnesses, gather their contact information as well.
3. Notify your renters insurance company
With most renters insurance companies, you can file a claim online, through a mobile app, or over the phone.
Be prepared to provide:
The date and time of the incident
A description of what happened
Photos or supporting documentation
Information about any injured parties
4. Cooperate with the investigation
Your insurance provider may ask follow-up questions or request additional documents to verify that what you say is true. Respond as soon as you can to keep the claim moving along.
5. Avoid admitting fault
It’s fine to express concern and help someone get medical care. But avoid making statements like “this is definitely my fault” or agreeing to pay expenses out of pocket before speaking with your insurance company. Your insurer will determine how coverage applies and whether liability exists.
Does renters insurance cover pets? FAQs
Does renters insurance cover my pet’s vet bills?
Renters insurance will not cover your pet’s vet bills. If you need help with that, that’s what pet insurance is for. Renters insurance is there to protect you financially from liability if your pet injures a non-household member or their property.
What dog breeds are excluded from renters insurance?
There’s no industrywide list of restricted breeds. However, some providers may place restrictions on breeds deemed “dangerous,” including pit bulls, Rottweilers, Dobermans, Akitas, Chow Chows, and others. Review your policy documents or call your insurer to see what restrictions apply.
Does renters insurance cover pet damage to a neighbor’s property?
It should. If your dog damages a neighbor’s fence, digs up landscaping, or destroys other property that belongs to someone else, your renters insurance liability coverage will often help pay for the repairs or replacement costs, up to your policy limits.
What is standalone pet liability insurance, and do I need it?
Standalone pet liability insurance is a separate policy meant to cover pet-related liability claims specifically. It may be worth looking into if your renters insurance company excludes your dog’s breed, limits pet-related coverage, or refuses to insure your pet altogether.
Does renters insurance cover exotic pets?
Dogs and cats are typically covered under standard renters insurance, but animals like reptiles, primates, large birds, and other exotic pets may be excluded. Check your policy or contact your renters insurance company to check if they cover nontraditional pets. And if you need pet insurance, check out our list of the best exotic pet insurance.
Will filing a pet-related claim raise my renters insurance rate?
Filing any renters insurance claim could raise your rate, including a pet-related one. It’s not guaranteed to happen, and the severity may depend on the size of the claim, your claims history, your insurer’s underwriting guidelines, and whether the incident involved injuries or property damage.
